Koshary: Cairo’s most iconic bowl
Koshary is Egypt’s beloved comfort food: a hearty mix of rice, lentils, macaroni, and chickpeas, topped with spiced tomato sauce and crispy fried onions.
Born in the busy streets of Cairo, koshary is served from dedicated shops where the assembly is quick and the flavour is deep. Each vendor has their own ratio and sauce recipe, so trying a few is part of the experience.
Add chilli, vinegar, or garlic sauce to taste. It is inexpensive, filling, and available almost everywhere.
A traditional ful breakfastFul medames: breakfast like a local
Ful medames—slow-cooked fava beans seasoned with cumin, lemon, and olive oil—has been a staple of Egyptian meals for centuries. Served with fresh bread, it is the breakfast of choice across the country.
Look for the neighbourhood ful stand where locals gather in the morning. The beans are scooped from a large copper pot and customised with tahini, chopped tomatoes, or a drizzle of chilli oil.
Molokhia: the soup Egyptians grow up with
Molokhia is a rich, dark-green soup made from jute leaves, slow-simmered with garlic and coriander. It is served over rice or with bread and is one of the most deeply personal dishes in Egyptian home cooking.
The flavour is earthy and herbaceous. Every family has their own method—some prefer it thick, others more brothy—and it is often the dish that Egyptians miss most when they travel abroad.
Fresh catch on the Red SeaFresh seafood along the Red Sea
Egypt’s Red Sea coast offers some of the freshest fish in the region. Grilled hammour, shrimp with garlic, and calamari are staples in coastal towns like Hurghada and El Gouna.
Order simply prepared and let the quality of the fish speak for itself. A squeeze of lemon, a side of tahini, and warm bread are all you need.
Finish with something sweet
No Egyptian meal is complete without a sweet note. Kunafa—crispy shredded pastry filled with sweet cheese and soaked in syrup—is a favourite, especially during warm months.
Basbousa, a semolina cake drenched in syrup and sometimes topped with coconut, pairs perfectly with strong Egyptian coffee.
The best meals in Egypt are rarely planned. They happen when you follow a local’s suggestion and sit down with an open appetite.
